'The Vampire Diaries' Will End in 2017, Stars React in Emotional Farewell Video

A full year of crying is ahead for "The Vampire Diaries" fans. The CW announced at Comic-Con that the series will end after Season 8, which premieres Friday, October 21. The show's Comic-Con panel included a special 9-minute video with the cast and producers reminiscing about the show and its impact.

Here's the video, which will almost definitely give you the sniffles: That video also marked the premiere of The Fray's new song, "Changing Tides," continuing the band's long association with the show, from the pilot episode to now.

The stars and showrunners also reacted to the show's end in a series of statements:

Executive producer Julie Plec: "It's so rare for a show to get to last this long, and what a privilege that Mark Pedowitz and Peter Roth have allowed us to choose the time to end the journey on our own creative terms. It's been eight of the best years of my life. I will miss it terribly, but I'm so proud to be here to see it to its proper end."

Executive producer Kevin Williamson: "I feel so blessed to have been a part of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. It has been a magical, thrilling, life-changing experience. Working with Julie and our amazing cast and crew has been one of the highlights of my career and life. At its core, the show has always been about family and that's what we have become behind the scenes as well — one big family. And while it's sad to see it come to an end, I'm thrilled to be back and part of the final chapter. We're very grateful to our loyal audience — they're our family, too — and we hope to say thank you by giving them the last and most epic season ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Ian Somerhalder: "The sun, the moon and stars aligned for me one day in March when I got the official call that I had been cast in this very special role as Damon Salvatore. I'm so very grateful to those who fought for me to have this opportunity (you know who you are), for those that have worked so hard to make this show happen, and to those that have loyally watched it, making it part of their lives. This show has enriched my life greater than anything I've done in my career and it will live in my heart. We are a family and I will miss you. Thank you again to this amazing cast and crew, Kevin, Julie, Warner Bros., The CW and the most loyal fan base the world has ever seen. Wow, what a ride."

Paul Wesley: "Being cast in THE VAMPIRE DIARIES has changed the trajectory of my life, to say the very least. I'm beyond fortunate for the experiences I've had and lessons I've learned over the last seven years. I want to thank Kevin and Julie, as well as Peter Roth and Warner Bros., Mark Pedowitz and The CW, our incredible cast and crew, and especially the TVD fans all around the world who are the reason this show became such a worldwide success. I am beyond grateful to have been a part of it."

"The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 will have 16 episodes, starting October 21 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.